Pacifier cleaning and storage apparatus

Abstract

A pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus is disclosed to have three main elements: an upper section, a center section and a lower section. Within the upper section is a pump with a water inlet and an adjustable spray nozzle. Within the lower section is an internal support member that is located at the substantial midpoint of the lower section. The apparatus can be opened, and a pacifier can be placed on the internal support member. Clean water is put into the center section, and when a resilient member on the upper sections is squeezed and downward pressure is applied, the water is forced through the inlet into the pump. The water is then sprayed, onto the pacifier. Once the pacifier has been cleaned, it can be removed, or remain within the apparatus.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus (PCSA) comprising:
 an upper section comprising a base having:
 an upper surface, 
 a lower surface, 
 a perimeter edge, 
 a resilient member with an upper tip, the resilient member extending upward from the base upper surface, 
 a threaded opening on the base lower surface, 
 a pump having an upper end, a lower end a water inlet and an adjustable spray nozzle on the lower end, the pump extending downward from the base lower surface, 
 
 a center section comprising:
 an upper surface having:
 an opening, 
 a threaded member that correspond to the threaded opening on the base, 
 an upper perimeter edge, 
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a lower perimeter edge, 
 a lower interface, 
 a lower opening, 
 a hinge tab, 
 
 a lower section comprising:
 an upper opening, 
 an upper interface that corresponds to the lower interface on the center section, 
 an upper perimeter edge, 
 a hinge slot that is mated to the hinge tab on the center section, 
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a lower surface, 
 a lower perimeter edge, and 
 
 an internal support member having a center opening and at least two spokes, the support member located within the lower section at a substantial midpoint of the section. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper section, center section and lower section are made of plastic. 
     
     
       3. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper section, center section and lower section are made of rubber. 
     
     
       4. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper section center section and lower section are made of a composite material. 
     
     
       5. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the upper section is un-screwed and removed from the center section, clean water is inserted into the center section. 
     
     
       6. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a pacifier is placed into the lower section via the lower section upper opening and rests upon the internal support member. 
     
     
       7. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein water within the center section flows through the water inlet into the pump, and then when squeeze pressure is applied to the upper section resilient member, the water is forced out of the adjustable spray nozzle and onto the pacifier. 
     
     
       8. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein after water is sprayed onto a pacifier, the pacifier is removed from the lower section by separating the center section from the lower section. 
     
     
       9. A pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus (PCSA) with the appearance of a stylized bear, the PCSA comprising:
 a hat comprising:
 a base having:
 an upper surface, 
 a lower surface, 
 a perimeter edge, 
 a resilient member with an upper tip, 
 a securing member with an inner end and an outer end having a ring, the securing member extending outward from the hat base perimeter edge, 
 a threaded opening on the base lower surface, 
 a pump having an upper end and an adjustable spray nozzle, the pup extending downward from the base lower surface, 
 
 a head section comprising:
 an upper surface having:
 an opening, 
 a threaded member that corresponds to the threaded opening on the base, 
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a face on the outer surface, the face having two eyes, a nose and two ears, 
 a lower perimeter edge, 
 a lower interface, 
 a lower opening, 
 a hinge tab, 
 
 a body section comprising:
 an upper opening, 
 an upper interface that corresponds to the lower interface on the head section, 
 an upper perimeter edge, 
 a hinge slot that is mated to the hinge tab on the head section, 
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a lower surface, 
 a lower perimeter edge, 
 two arms, 
 two feet, and 
 an internal support member having a center opening and at least two spokes, the support member located within the body section at a substantial midpoint of the section. 
 
 
 
 
     
     
       10. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hat section, the head section and the body section are made of plastic. 
     
     
       11. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hat section, the head section and the body section are made of rubber. 
     
     
       12. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hat section, the head section and the body section are made of a composite material. 
     
     
       13. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hat section, the head section and the body section are made of a combination of multiple different materials. 
     
     
       14. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein when the hat section is un-screwed and removed from the head section, clean water is inserted into the head section. 
     
     
       15. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a pacifier is placed into the body section via the body section upper opening and rests upon the internal support member. 
     
     
       16. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein an oral hygiene device is placed into the body section via the body section upper opening and rests upon the internal support member. 
     
     
       17. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein water within the head section flows through the water inlet into the pump, and the when squeeze pressure is applied to the hat section resilient member the water is forced out of the adjustable spray nozzle and onto the pacifier. 
     
     
       18. The pacifier cleaning and storing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein after water is sprayed onto a pacifier, the pacifier is removed from the body section by separating the head section from the body section.